Watersports board

ABSTRACT

A watersports board includes a first rail handle retaining feature disposed along a first rail of the watersports board and configured to releasably attach a first rail handle at various positions along the first rail. A second rail handle retaining feature disposed along a second rail of said watersports and configured to releasably attach a second rail handle at various positions along the second rail.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Application No.61/892,651, filed on Oct. 18, 2013, entitled “WATERSPORTS BOARD,” byLucas McLelan.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.14/273,407, filed on May 13, 2014, entitled “HANDLE DEVICE FOR AWATERSPORTS BOARD,” by Lucas McLelan.

BACKGROUND

Learning to surf on a surfboard can be challenging to various types ofsurfers. For example, it is difficult for a novice or disabled surfer tolearn to stand up on the surfboard and maintain balance when attemptingto surf on a surfboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate various embodiments and, together withthe Description of Embodiments, serve to explain principles discussedbelow. The drawings referred to in this brief description of thedrawings should not be understood as being drawn to scale unlessspecifically noted.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a top view of a watersports board.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of view of a watersports board includingrail handles.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an isometric view of a handle device.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a side view of a watersports board incombination with a handle device and rail handles.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of an isometric view of a handle device andattachment portion.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a side view of a handle device andattachment portion.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of top view of a handle device incombination with a watersports board.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of top view of a handle device incombination with a watersports board.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While variousembodiments are discussed herein, it will be understood that they arenot intended to be limiting. On the contrary, the presented embodimentsare intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, whichmay be included within the spirit and scope the various embodiments asdefined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in this Description ofEmbodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding. However, embodiments may be practiced withoutone or more of these specific details. In other instances, well knownmethods, procedures, and components, have not been described in detailas not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the described embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of watersports board 100 (e.g., asurfboard). FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of watersports board 100 thatincludes rail handles 201 and 202.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, board 100 is utilized for training of aperson to surf or ride a surfboard. For example, a rider (e.g., a child,adult, physically disabled person, etc.) may not have the requisiteexperience, balance, coordination, strength, etc. to properly ride thesurfboard. However, by utilizing board 100 and additional components(which will be described in further detail below), the rider is able togradually increase his/her surfing skills. In some instances, board 100is utilized as a training tool for children in learning how to ride asurfboard.

Board 100 can be any watersports board that is able to be propelled by anaturally occurring wave, such as an ocean wave. However, board 100 canalso be propelled by a human created wave, such as a wave generated in awave park.

In various embodiments, board 100 can be any various type of surfboard,such as, but not limited to, a longboard, shortboard, gun, fish, softtop, paddle board, etc.

In one embodiment, board 100 is a self-propelling. For example, board100 generates a forward thrust provided by an impeller powered by anelectric motor. Accordingly, board 100 can be propelled by both anaturally occurring wave and an impeller.

In various embodiments, board 100 is not required to be a skim board,wake board, snow board, etc. Moreover, board 100 is not required toinclude any feet retaining features, such as but not limited to, straps,bindings, etc. However, board 100 may include a pad or the like thatincreases the friction of the foot on the board but does not physicallyretain or hold the foot on the board.

Board 100 includes, among other things, top surface 110 (or deck), tip123 (or nose), tail 122, first rail 150 (or edge), and second rail 151(or edge) and at least one fin (e.g., fin 440) that is disposed in aback portion 120 of board 100. Board 100 can include any number of finsthat protrude from the bottom surface.

Board 100 includes rail handle retaining features 152 disposed alongrail 150 and retaining features 153 disposed along rail 151.

Features 152 are configured to releasably attach first rail handle 201at various positions along first rail 150. Likewise, features 153 areconfigured to releasably attach first rail handle 202 at variouspositions along first rail 151.

In various embodiments, features 152 and 153 are various attachmentmeans or mechanism that are able to quickly and securely attach anddetach with the mating portions of rail handles 201 and 201. Forexample, features 152 and 153 can be, but are not limited to, a frictionfit attachment, a threaded attachment, a quick disconnect attachment,inserts, etc. It is noted that features 152 and 153 travel along thelength of rails 150 and 151, respectively.

In one embodiment, features 152 and 153 are a slot or rail, such thatthe handles may slide within the slot or over the rail to a selectedposition and then locked in place.

In one embodiment, features 152 and 153 are through holes. Accordingly,a fastener and/or a portion of the mating portions of rail handle areinserted into features 152 and 153 to releasably fasten the rail handlesto top surface and along the rails of board 100.

In one embodiment, handles 201 and 202 are positioned towards tip 123,as depicted in FIG. 2. As a result, a novice rider (such as a child) isable to lie down (face first) on the top surface of board 100 and grasphandles 201 and 202 to securely maintain the position on top of theboard, while the board is being propelled. The board may be propelled bya wave, by a push from behind by an instructor, etc.

In contrast, if no handles were present, the rider would be required tograsp onto rails 150 and 151 which are wet and slippery. As a result,the difficulty in grasping rails 150 and 151 increases the likelihoodthat the rider of losing the proper positioning/balance on top of theboard, while laying down, and falling off of the board.

Handles 201 and 202 may be positioned at any selected position along thelength of features 152 and 153, respectively.

In one embodiment, handles 201 and 202 may be positioned in themid-portion of board 100. That is, handles 201 and 202 are positionedsuch that a rider, when laying down and hands at mid-chest level(similar to the position of the hands while attempting to do a push-up),is able to grasp handles 201 and 202 and subsequently push himself upinto a standing position on board 100.

In another embodiment, handles 201 and 202 may be positioned towardsback portion 120. That is, handles 201 and 202 are positioned such thatanother person who is behind the board is able to grasp handles 201 and202 to control the board and/or push the board while the rider is on theboard (e.g., laying down, standing, etc.)

Handles 201 and 202 may be any handle that is able to be releasablyattached to the top surface of the board via features 152 and 153,respectively. In various embodiments, the handles are, cushioned, rigid,flexible, buoyant, etc.

Board 100 also includes handle retaining features 140 and 141. Features140 and 141 are configured to releasably attach a handle device (e.g.,handle device 300) to facilitate in balancing a user while standing onsaid watersports board, which will described in further detail below.

In one embodiment, features 140 and 141 are inserts disposed on theright hand side of center line 130 and on the left hand side of centerline 130, respectively.

In various embodiments, board 100 may also include various sets of fins(e.g., soft fins), stickers (e.g., adhesive decals), leash, leash plug,etc.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of handle device 300 configured toreleasably attach to a watersports board (e.g., a surfboard). Ingeneral, handle device 300 is utilized to facilitate in the training ofa person to surf or ride a surfboard. By utilizing handle device 300,which is attached the surfboard, the rider is able to hold on to thehandle device while riding the surfboard. It should be appreciated thathandle device 300 can be utilized alone and/or in combination withhandles 201 and 202.

Handle device 300 includes handle portion 310, base portion 320, andreleasable attachment portion 330. In one embodiment, handle device 300is buoyant.

Handle portion 310 is configured for a rider to grasp while riding asurfboard. Handle portion 310 is depicted as a straight bar. However,handle portion 310 can be any shape or configuration that is compatiblefor a surfboard rider to comfortably grasp while riding a surfboard. Forexample, handle portion 310 may include grips or the like.

Base portion 320 is configured to be releasably and securely retained ina surfboard via releasable attachment portion 330. For example,releasable attachment portion 330 seats in feature 140 or 141.

In general, base portion 320 is comprised of material that providessufficient strength and stiffness such that a rider is able to grasponto handle portion 310 and ride the surfboard without the base portion320 collapsing, bending, etc. Base portion 320 can be comprised of, butnot limited to, aluminum, PVC, semi-rigid polymer, etc.

In one embodiment, base portion 320 is rigid. In another embodiment,base portion 320 is resiliently flexible. That is, base portion 320 isable to be rigid, however, it is able collapse or flex when a certainamount of force is applied to it. For example, if a rider falls downwhile riding the surfboard, base portion 320 is able to collapse suchthat it does not injure the falling rider. Additionally, the collapsedbase portion is able to resiliently spring back into its originalposition.

In another embodiment, base portion 320 is telescopic. That is, theheight of handle portion 310 may be adjusted by telescopically adjustingbase portion 320.

Releasable attachment portion 330 is configured to releasably attach tothe surfboard. Releasable attachment portion 330 can be any attachmentmeans or mechanism that is able to quickly and securely attach anddetach with the surfboard. For example, releasable attachment portion330 can be, but is not limited to, a friction fit attachment, a threadedattachment, a quick disconnect attachment, etc.

Insert 340 is configured to be inserted into a surfboard and thatphysically engages with releasable attachment portion 330. For example,insert 340 can be, but is not limited to, a friction fit attachment, athreaded attachment, a quick disconnect attachment, etc. that physicallymates with releasable attachment portion 330. In various embodiments,features 140 and 141, as described above, are an insert, such as insert340.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiments of board 100 including handle device 300and handle 202 (handle 201 is also attached to board 100 but is notdepicted in the side view).

Typically, while a rider is riding a wave on board 100, the rider standsin back portion 120 and also stands off to one side of center line 130(e.g., longitudinal axis). That is, to properly balance while riding awave, the rider stands off to the side of board 200.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, handle device 300 is positioned inback portion 120 and on either side of centerline 130. In oneembodiment, back portion 120 is any portion on top surface 110 that isin the back half of board 100.

In various embodiments, inserts (e.g., insert 340) are inserted intoboard 100. For example, the inserts are placed on the right hand side ofcenter line 130 and the left hand side of center line 130.

In one embodiment, board 100 is a soft top board and holes (e.g.,features 140 and 141) are created in the board such that the inserts(e.g., insert 340) are able to be securely retained within the board.

If a rider has a regular stance (where the rider's left foot is theleading foot and the rider's right foot is the trailing foot near theback portion of the board), the rider's body will generally face theright hand side of the board. Accordingly, handle device 300 isreleasably retained on the right hand side of center line 130, forexample, in feature 140. This enables the rider to hold onto handleportion 310, that is offset from centerline 130 (on the right hand side)and in back portion 120, such that the rider has proper position onboard 100 to keep his or her balance while riding a wave (e.g., right orleft breaking wave).

Likewise, if a rider has a “goofy foot” stance (where the rider's rightfoot is the leading foot and the rider's left foot is the trailing footnear the back portion of the board), the rider's body will generallyface the left hand side of the board. Accordingly, handle device 300 isreleasably retained on the left hand side of center line 130, forexample, in feature 141. This enables the rider to hold onto handleportion 310, that is offset from centerline 130 (on the left hand side)and in back portion 120, such that the rider has proper position onboard 100 to keep his or her balance while riding a wave (e.g., right orleft breaking wave).

In one embodiment, handle portion 310 is parallel with centerline 130(see FIG. 8). In another embodiment, handle portion 310 is positioned atan angle with respect to centerline 130 (see FIG. 7).

It should be appreciated that the cross-sectional view of board 100, asdepicted in FIG. 4, can include other various surfboard shapes andfeatures, such as one or more rockers, a thicker middle section andthinner tip and tail sections, etc.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of handle device 500. Handle device 500 isthe same as handle device 300, however, releasable attachment portion530 is configured to releasably attach to the top surface 110 of board100.

Releasable attachment portion 530 is any feature that facilitates inreleasably securing base portion 320 to top surface 110. Releasableattachment portion 530 is any feature that extends in the board'slongitudinal and latitudinal directions. For example, releasableattachment portion 530 is a base plate that secures base portion 320 inthe board's longitudinal and latitudinal directions. In other words,releasable attachment portion 530 enables handle device to be securelyattached to board 100 when a rider to applies a force to handle device500.

Releasable attachment portion 530 can be any physical shape orconfiguration that facilitates in securely and releasably attachinghandle device 500 to the top surface of board 100. For example,releasable attachment portion 530 can be a square plate, circular plate,etc.

In other embodiments, releasable attachment portion 530 is in the shapeof an “X” or an “H,” or the like, wherein base portion 320 extends fromthe middle of the “X” or the “H.”

FIG. 6 depicts a side-view of an embodiment of handle device 600. Handledevice 600 is similar to handle device 300, as described above.Additionally, handle device 600 also includes releasable attachmentportion 630, which is similar to releasable attachment portion 530 ofhandle device 500. In such an embodiment, releasable attachment portion330 seats within the body of board 100, and releasable attachmentportion 530 seats on the top surface of board 100.

Referring now to FIG. 7, releasable attachment portion 730 is a hook andloop fastener (e.g., Velcro™) that releasably attaches to a mating hookand loop fastener pad that is adhered to top surface 110. In thisembodiment, releasable attachment portion 730 is positioned on the lefthand side of board 200 such that handle portion 310 is located on theleft hand side of board 100. Regarding FIG. 7, in one embodiment, board100 includes features 152 and 153 (but not depicted for brevity andclarity). In another embodiment, board 100 does not include features 152and 153.

Additionally, handle portion 310 is able to rotate with respect to baseportion 320 to provide additional adjustments to particularly suit arider.

Referring now to FIG. 8, releasable attachment portion 830 (e.g., arigid or semi-rigid plate) is retained to board 100 by straps 832 and833. That is, straps 832 and 833 wrap around the circumference of board100 to secure handle device 300 to board 100. The straps can be elasticor non-elastic. The straps can include various types of buckles orfasteners to adjust the tension of the straps.

It should be appreciated, that releasable attachment portion 830 can bepositioned such that handle device 300 can located at any location alongthe top surface of board 100. Regarding FIG. 7, in one embodiment, board100 includes features 152 and 153 (but not depicted for brevity andclarity). In another embodiment, board 100 does not include features 152and 153.

In one embodiment, a watersports board system or kit is provided thatincludes board 100, handles 201 and 202, and handle device 300 withreleasable attachment portions (e.g., releasable attachment portions530). Additionally, the system may also include one or more of,stickers, fins (e.g., soft fins), training material (e.g., pamphlet,surf instructional video, etc.).

Example embodiments of the subject matter are thus described. Althoughvarious embodiments have been described in a language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specificfeatures or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and actsdescribed above are disclosed as example forms of implementing theclaims and their equivalents. Moreover, examples and embodimentsdescribed herein may be implemented alone or in various combinationswith one another.

1. A watersports board comprising: a first rail handle retaining featuredisposed along a first rail of said watersports board and configured toreleasably attach a first rail handle at various positions along saidfirst rail; and a second rail handle retaining feature disposed along asecond rail of said watersports and configured to releasably attach asecond rail handle at various positions along said second rail.
 2. Thewatersports board of claim 1, wherein said first rail handle retainingfeature comprises: a plurality of first rail handle retaining featuresdisposed at separate positions along said first rail.
 3. The watersportsboard of claim 1, wherein said second rail handle retaining featurecomprises: a plurality of second rail handle retaining features disposedat separate positions along said second rail.
 4. The watersports boardof claim 1, further comprising: a first handle retaining feature offsetfrom a longitudinal axis of said watersports board and configured toreleasably attach a handle device to facilitate in balancing a userwhile standing on said watersports board.
 5. The watersports board ofclaim 4, further comprising: a second handle retaining feature offsetfrom a longitudinal axis of said watersports board and configured toreleasably attach said handle device to facilitate in balancing saiduser while standing on said watersports board.
 6. The watersports boardof claim 1, further comprising: at least one fin.
 7. The watersportsboard of claim 1, further comprising: a leash.
 8. A watersports boardsystem comprising: a watersports board; a first rail handle configuredto releasably attach at various positions along a first rail of saidwatersports board; and a second rail handle configured to releasablyattach at various positions along a second rail of said watersportsboard.
 9. The watersports board system of claim 8, wherein said firsthandle and said second handle are further configured to attach atlocation consisting of: a tip portion, a mid-board portion, and a rearportion.
 10. The watersports board system of claim 8, wherein saidwatersports board further comprises: a first plurality of through holesdisposed along said first rail to releasably retain said first railhandle at said various positions along said first rail, and a secondplurality of through holes disposed along said second rail to releasablyretain said second rail handle at said various positions along saidsecond rail.
 11. The watersports board system of claim 8, wherein saidwatersports board further comprises: a first handle retaining featureoffset from a longitudinal axis of said watersports board and configuredto releasably attach a handle device to facilitate in balancing a userwhile standing on said watersports board.
 12. The watersports board ofclaim 11, further comprising: a second handle retaining feature offsetfrom a longitudinal axis of said watersports board and configured toreleasably attach said handle device to facilitate in balancing saiduser while standing on said watersports board.
 15. The watersports boardsystem of claim 8, further comprising: a handle device comprising: abase portion configured to protrude from a top surface of saidwatersports board; and a handle portion attached to said base portion,wherein said handle portion is configured to be positioned offset from alongitudinal axis of said watersports board.
 16. The watersports boardsystem of claim 15, wherein said handle device further comprises: areleasable attachment portion attached to said base portion, whereinsaid releasable attachment portion is configured to releasably attach tosaid watersports board at various positions on said watersports boardsuch that said handle device is able to be selectively positioned onsaid watersports board.
 17. The watersports board system of claim 16,wherein said releasable attachment portion comprises: a base plateconfigured to be seated on a top surface of said watersports board; andan end portion configured to be disposed within said watersports board.18. The watersports board system of claim 8, further comprising: atleast one fin.
 19. The watersports board system of claim 8, furthercomprising: a leash.
 20. A handle device for a watersports boardcomprising: a base portion configured to protrude from a top surface ofsaid watersports board; a handle portion attached to said base portion,wherein said handle portion is configured to be positioned offset from alongitudinal axis of said watersports board; and a releasable attachmentportion comprising: a base plate configured to be seated on a topsurface of said watersports board; and an end portion configured to bedisposed within said watersports board.